George G. Holden

SOUTH PARIS – There’s a golf game in the Heavens tonight. George Glenroy Holden, 91, of Norway, formerly of Harrison, passed away peacefully in the early morning hours of Thursday, Dec. 13, 2012 at Market Square Health Care Center.

He was born on Nov. 3, 1921, in North Bridgton, Maine, a son of Alpheus Holden and Iva (Warren) Holden. He graduated from Bridgton Academy in 1940. In World War II, he served three years with the United States Army. On Dec. 4, 1954, he married Jean Joan Russell.

George worked for several years in the lumber business. Following this, he and his five brothers went into business together, forming Holden Bros. Chevrolet, later becoming Holden Bros. Ford, Holden Bros. Ins., and Holden Bros. Realty in Fryeburg, Maine. Some of his happiest memories were of lunch time in the showroom, where many townspeople would arrive to eat lunch, tell stories, jokes, and laugh ‘til they cried.

He was a past member of the local, state, and national Realtors Association. He was past President of Western Maine Board of Realtors. He was a member of the United Parish of Harrison and North Bridgton and served as Chairman of the Finance Committee for several years. He was a member of Crooked River Lodge, No. 152, AF & AM, the Kora Temple Shrine Club, Lewiston and Bridgton Shrine Club. He was a member and past President of the Harrison Community Association. He was a charter member, trustee, and President of the North Bridgton Historical Society. He was Chairman of the Harrison Superintending School Committee and served for many years on the Harrison Conservation Commission.

George was a charter member and past President of the Harrison Lions Club and in 2002 was awarded the Melvin Jones Fellow, which is the highest form of recognition a Lions Club can bestow on a member. In 2006, the Lions Club created the George Holden Lion of The Year award that is given annually to a deserving Lion.

A lover of sports, he played several years of semipro baseball with the Bridgton Braves and basketball with the Holden Aces and Bridgton Barons. He was an avid golfer and was a member of the Bridgton Highlands Country Club, Southern Maine Senior’s Golf Association, and played in many State Amateur tournaments throughout Maine. As a tribute to all of the Holden boys who have spent years golfing at Bridgton Highlands, the “Holden Scramble” was created and is now an annual event. He was honored to be inducted into the Bridgton Academy Sports Hall of Fame in 2005 for his years of playing basketball, baseball, and football. He loved the Red Sox, Celtics, and Patriots and rarely missed watching a game. He was so proud of all of his grandchildren, and one of his greatest joys was watching his grandson, Ben, follow in his footsteps playing high school football, basketball, and baseball. He was a familiar face in the stands and many of Ben’s teammates would always acknowledge George at the games.

After retiring, George and Jean wintered in North Myrtle Beach, S.C. for 18 years, enjoying years of golf with his friends and family. In his later years, he developed a love of painting and was considered an amateur artist, painting many churches, covered bridges, and the beautiful scenery of Maine. His greatest love, however, was spending time with his family, always calling any time together a “party.” Nicknamed “Gaga” by his first granddaughter, he will always be remembered as a kind, gentle, patient, humble man who, with his great sense of humor, always wanted to make people smile. He will be forever missed by his family. See you on the back nine, Dad!

He is survived by his wife of 58 years, Jean; daughter, Pamela Lane and husband, Stephen of Bethany, Conn.; Jill Holden of Gray; Lynn Ryerson of So. Paris, and Julie Holden of Durham, N.C.; eight grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; his brother, Richard of Fryeburg, and numerous nieces and nephews.

He was predeceased by his brothers, Ernest, Donald, Raymond and Verdell and sisters, Bertha, Alice, Mildred, Velma and Doris.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, Dec. 22, 2012 at 1 p.m., at the Bridgton Academy Chapel in North Bridgton, Maine, with refreshments to follow in the Bridgton Academy Dining Hall. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in George’s memory to the Harrison Lions Club, c/o Charlene Goranites, P.O. Box 264, No. Bridgton, ME 04057, or the United Parish of Harrison and No. Bridgton, P.O. Box 95, Harrison, ME 04040. Arrangements under the care of Oxford Hills and Weston Funeral Services, 1037 Main St., Oxford, ME 04270. Online condolences may be expressed to the family at www.oxfordhillsfuneralservices.com